New York Brings Back Luis Cessa, Places Tommy Kahnle On The Disabled List

After being sent back down to Scranton/ Wilkies -Barre Sunday New York has brought back right -hander Luis Cessa to take place of right -hander Tommy Kahnle who went on the disabled list. 

Taking note of Tommy Kahnle's significant drop in velocity, the Yankees placed the reliever on the 10-day disabled list, hoping that extra rest will restore his fastball to full strength. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-place-tommy-kahnle-on-dl/c-272574516

Kahnle was diagnosed with right shoulder tendinitis after undergoing an MRI and several strength tests on Tuesday, and he is on the DL retroactive to Monday. In a corresponding move, the Yankees recalled right-hander Luis Cessa from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre."according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-place-tommy-kahnle-on-dl/c-272574516

We're hoping that this is something that we can knock out with a few days of rest," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "That'll unfold over the next 24 hours and days ahead. We're at least optimistic that it is a minor situation." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-place-tommy-kahnle-on-dl/c-272574516

The 28-year-old Kahnle struggled to start 2018, allowing seven runs (five earned) in 7 1/3 frames, though he did strike out nine batters. Kahnle's four-seamer has averaged 94.9 mph this year, nearly 3 mph slower than last season (97.8 mph). "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-place-tommy-kahnle-on-dl/c-272574516

Kahnle recorded a 2.70 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings in 2017 after being acquired from the White Sox in a mid-July trade. Boone said that bullpen coach Mike Harkey had noticed that Kahnle didn't seem to be warming up the way he did in '17. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-place-tommy-kahnle-on-dl/c-272574516

He doesn't feel anything that's too wrong in there, but he said there's a little bit of trouble getting warmed up," Boone said. "Hopefully a little bit of a timeout here for a few days, assuming everything comes back results-wise from the MRI, hopefully it's something that a few days of rest will get him back on the right track." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-place-tommy-kahnle-on-dl/c-272574516

Cessa had been scheduled to start on Tuesday for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, with the Yankees eyeing his availability to make a spot start next week. Boone said that Cessa's recall does not necessarily rule out that possibility. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-place-tommy-kahnle-on-dl/c-272574516

"Cessa and [Domingo] German are both guys that could give us length if we got in a situation," Boone said. "They're also guys that we feel are comfortable going in a short situation where they have the ability to dominate in a shorter term. We just feel like he gives us some flexibility down there as well as a weapon in shorter spurts." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-place-tommy-kahnle-on-dl/c-272574516

Gleyber good
Top prospect Gleyber Torres is listed as day to day with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after he was lifted for a fifth-inning pinch-hitter due to stiffness in the middle of his back. Boone said that the removal was precautionary on a 48-degree evening at Gwinnett in suburban Atlanta. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-place-tommy-kahnle-on-dl/c-272574516

"They don't think it's anything serious other than some tightness," Boone said. "They don't think it's a pull or anything. They're optimistic that it's just a day-to-day thing, and hopefully he's back in there [Wednesday]." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-place-tommy-kahnle-on-dl/c-272574516

Don't think, just throw
There is a memorable scene in the 1988 movie "Bull Durham" in which pitcher Nuke LaLoosh (played by Tim Robbins) repeats a newfound mantra: "Don't think, just throw." Sonny Gray is attempting to subscribe to a similar theory, reminding himself to "pitch more athletic." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-place-tommy-kahnle-on-dl/c-272574516

"For me, it just kind of means to maybe get the ball and not have as much thinking going on," Gray said. "Just get the ball and kind of go. I think it's probably something I've done in the past that I might've gotten away from a little bit." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-place-tommy-kahnle-on-dl/c-272574516

In advance of Gray's next start on Friday against the Blue Jays, Gray and pitching coach Larry Rothschild have been working on a mechanical tweak, trying to restore his mechanics to where they were with the Athletics. He has pitched to a 6.92 ERA through his first three starts this season."according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-place-tommy-kahnle-on-dl/c-272574516

"I feel good," Gray said. "Everything in this game is going through adjustments and trying to better yourself. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-place-tommy-kahnle-on-dl/c-272574516

Swinging away
Greg Bird hit off of a tee on Tuesday, marking the first time that he has done so since undergoing right ankle surgery on March 27. Bird said that he expects to resume outdoor running and agility drills by the end of the week, and he will travel to Tampa, Fla., when the Yankees go on the road. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-place-tommy-kahnle-on-dl/c-272574516

"They told me six to eight weeks [from the date of the surgery], so I think I'm right on track for that," Bird said. "I'll be doing close to full baseball activity, I think, by next week. So that's nice. Hopefully it warms up a little bit. That would be nice, too." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-place-tommy-kahnle-on-dl/c-272574516